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Make a difference in Greater Manchester Food Poverty Week

08 Oct 2014

Food poverty in Greater Manchester should be a concern for all of us: find out more from 13 to 19 October 2014

donating to a foodbank

One in ten people in Greater Manchester skip meals so other family members can eat and four out of five teachers say some of their pupils are coming to school hungry.

As part of their commitment to social responsibility, students in Manchester set up the UK’s first student-led foodbank, the Manchester Central Foodbank, in partnership with the national charity Trussel Trust in 2013. The Foodbank is run from the Manchester Universities’ Catholic Chaplaincy, which is opposite the Students’ Union on Oxford Road. 

13-19 October is the mark of a new campaign to raise awareness on food poverty in Greater Manchester.

Get involved

We are encouraging staff to make a difference by donating food items to the foodbank. This is a list of foodstuffs that can be donated. 

These can be donated at: 

  • The Church of the Holy Name, Oxford Road (7am - 7pm)
  • Manchester Universities' Catholic Chaplaincy, Avila House (opposite the Students' Union: 10am - 9pm)
  • The Sainsbury's Local on the Oxford Road (7am - midnight)

Staff can also volunteer to work to collect food items at foodbanks by emailing the Foodbank volunteer team at:

Want to find out more about Foodbanks and get involved?

  • Monday 13 October (1–5pm, Manchester Universities Catholic Chaplaincy (opposite the Students' Union)
    Foodbank Training Session (What do Foodbanks do? Why are they necessary? How can I get involved or help?)
    Anybody welcome.
  • Wednesday 15 October (drop in between 2pm and 4pm at Manchester Universities Catholic Chaplaincy (opposite the Students' Union)
    Meet the Foodbank - a drop in session where people who are interested can meet our volunteers and find out more about food poverty and what it's like to run a Foodbank Project
    Anybody welcome 

Julian Skyrme, Director of Social Responsibility, said: "Growing food poverty should concern anyone who cares about the health, education and wellbeing of the most vulnerable people in Greater Manchester. Students in Manchester have made a difference to local residents experiencing significant hardship and I encourage both staff and students to find our more about Manchester Central Foodbank and support their work.” 

Further information